“We could make some noise, you and I…

Are you ready? Are you willing to try?”

  • Pizzazz (I Like Your Style)

Welcome to the JemCon 2025 Songwriting Contest!

 The incredible music of the series is a HUGE part of why Jem holds such a special place in our hearts after all these years - and continues to be discovered and loved by new fans every day. Inspired by the talent, creativity, and originality of the show’s music catalog, we invite you to write song lyrics of your own (with 5-7 verses) using these elements:

  • Intro 

  • Bridge 

  • Chorus 

  • Outro


It can be written for whoever you choose:

  • A band - Jem and the Holograms, The Misfits, The Stingers (even The Limp Lizards lol)

  • A single character (like Roxy’s “I’m Gonna Change”) 

  • A collaboration (like “It’s Working Out/It’s Doing Me In”)

  • A duo (like “I’m Okay”)


Keep it simple - there’s no need to write musical notation or perform any vocals or instruments. Just let your creativity flow; we’re here for any way it takes shape as long as it fits the spirit of the Jem series!


You can refer to this original song as a formatting example:

 

Head in the Sand – The Misfits

 

(Pizzazz)

We’re cruising up into this blazing desert,

And it’s plain to see we’re mighty and grand,

If you think you’ll ever reach our level

You must really have your Head in the Sand!

 

(Roxy, Stormer and Jetta) If you can’t see we’re superior…

(Pizzazz talk-singing) Your head is down.

(Roxy, Stormer and Jetta) And we get all the demand…

(Pizzazz talk-singing) We’ll have you buried!

(All) Your head’s in the sand, blind to our power

(Pizzazz) And we’re here to enact our mightiest plans!

(Roxy, Stormer and Jetta) EVER!!

 

(Pizzazz)

You’re with the snakes and birds and scorpions,

Trying to survive on drops of our fame

No matter if you think your praise is growing, girl,

You’ve got your head in the sand. All. The. Same.

 

(Roxy, Stormer and Jetta) If you can’t see we’re the Desert Queens…

(Pizzazz talk-singing) On top and loving it!

(Roxy, Stormer and Jetta) And we win the strongest hand…

(Pizzazz talk-singing) Your game is over.

(All) Your head’s in the sand, blind to our power

(Pizzazz) And we’re here to enact our mightiest plans!

(Roxy, Stormer and Jetta) EVER!!

 

(Pizzazz)

You must really have your Head in the Sand!

Soon I’ll finally have the world in my hand!


(outro notes, punctuated by Jetta saxophone riff)



Contest Rules and Guidelines

All entries must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST on August 1, 2025 via email to: jemconforever@gmail.com with the subject line "JemCon 2025 Songwriting Contest Entry”

All entries must be typed and presented in a serif or sans-serif 10- to 12-point font such as Arial or Times New Roman. Acceptable file formats include Microsoft Word, Open Office, rich text, plain text, Google docs or PDFs.

  1. Entries must contain 5-7 verses, and be able to be sung aloud in 50-90 seconds, following the parameters of songs in the series. Only send in lyrics - not musical notation or recordings.

  2. We will allow up to three song entries per person.

  3. All entries must be "PG-rated", meaning no foul language or mature content. We want everyone, including the new Jemeration, to be able to enjoy your songs!

  4. By entering this contest, the entrant agrees that the submitted work is entirely original to them, without the use of artificially-generated (ChatGPT/any A.I. programs) or otherwise plagiarized material. 

  5. By entering this contest, the entrant agrees to allow their original work to be posted online, printed in the program and read/performed at live and streaming events connected to JemCon 2025. We will not post them or distribute them anywhere else, and we’ll fully credit all writers.

  6. Entrants maintain full ownership of their song/lyrics.



Judging

All entries will be reviewed by a panel of volunteer readers, who will select a winner based on the following criteria:

  • Originality, creativity, and "Universal Appeal"

  • Style and ease of reading (i.e. grammar, spelling, and punctuation)

  • Musicality, entertaining quality, and ease of imagining it being performed

  • Fitting the style and spirit of the series, and the bands/characters involved

  • Adherence to the guidelines and rules listed above


Prize

The winning song and some runners-up (at the JemCon staff’s discretion) will be featured in the JemCon 2025 Program and website, and the winner will receive a special award from the JemCon team.

We’re so excited to read your truly outrageous original song lyrics! You’ve got what it takes to make your plans come true, and baby, baby, have we got plans for you!